Get Your Hands Dirty this Spring Registration Now Open for Two Great Volunteer Events
Show your appreciation for the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail by celebrating the 10th anniversary of Canal Clean Sweep, April 17-19. Join with more than 150 communities, not-for-profit organizations, civic groups, businesses, and social clubs and 3,000 volunteers by participating in or organizing an event for one of the most popular Earth Day events in the state. Register to volunteer today!

As state parks and historic sites throughout New York prepare for the upcoming summer season, Parks & Trails New York is once again partnering with State Parks to organize the fourth annual I Love My Park Day. Nearly 90 events are happening across the state, from Montauk Point to Niagara Falls. Find an event near you and join the more than 6,000 people expected to volunteer.

March Membership Madness

Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner-- you can almost feel it-- and all of us at Parks & Trails New York are eager to get back to our favorite parks and trails. In fact, you could say we've gone a little stir crazy this winter and are kicking off spring with a March Madness Membership Drive.

Anyone who becomes a member of PTNY or renews their membership at the $50 level or higher in the month of March will be entered towin an Empire Passport to the parks ($65 value)! We'll be drawing one winner each week this month, so join or renew today and you have 5 chances to win!

Behind every successful park or trail project are dedicated individuals and organizations that rarely receive the recognition they deserve. We’d like to honor their efforts with our Park and Trail Hero Awards. Nominations will be accepted until April 15.

Awards will be given in five categories:
Public Leadership
Volunteer Service
Corporate Partnership
Get Outside Award
Outside the Box

Park Advocacy Day in Albany
a great sucess

Thank you to all of the park and historic site advocates
who came to Albany or contacted their legislators March 3
for the 9th annual Park Advocacy Day.
You are the best! ‪#‎LoveNYParks‬

The Erie Canalway Trail is almost 80% complete and on its way to becoming the longest continuous multi-use trail in the nation. PTNY's 2014 "Closing the Gaps" report highlights the 25 miles that are under construction or have received funding and outlines the 54 miles of trail left to complete.

March 28, 2015
A milestone on Erie Canal trail
An Albany Times Union article highlights recent progress made in Closing the Gaps along the Erie Canalway Trail, citing PTNY’s fifth annual Closing the Gaps report. The report unveiled that 281 miles of the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail — 78 percent — are now open to the public between Albany and Buffalo.

March 24, 2015Parks investment a small price for benefit
Read our letter to the editor explaining why parks, like schools and libraries, are essential community resources and an integral part of the state’s infrastructure.

March 9, 2015Erie Canalway Trail attracts tourists to central New York
Local historian touts the Erie CanalwayTrail as a draw for tourists, citing PTNY’s economic impact study of the trail.

March 4, 2015$900M commitment to improve state parks
“It’s a real rejuvenation of the park system,” says PTNY Executive Director Robin Dropkin in this article that outlines the state’s $900 million commitment to improve state parks.

January 30, 2015
A trail to better life, health in the Adirondacks: a PTNY opinion piece
New York has an opportunity to create a multi-use trail through the Adirondacks that would be a wonderful addition to the constellation of upstate multi-use trails, including the Erie Canalway Trail that connects Albany with Buffalo.January 28, 2015Court sides with no-smoking regs
State appellate court maintains no-smoking regulations at state park playgrounds, pools, beaches, playing fields and other outdoor areas. The ruling was heralded by PTNY, which filed a “friends of the court brief.”

January 28, 2015
Advocates applaud Cuomo’s park funding proposal
PTNY applauds Cuomo’s proposal because it keeps up the momentum in restoring the state’s parks system with a commitment of $900 million through 2020.

January 20, 2015
Trails good for users and economy
Recreational trails offer a fun way to enjoy the outdoors and draw tourist dollars to communities.

January 15, 2015
Allegany park group to get grant
Friends group earmarks funds for a website, brochures, and banners to increase membership and fundraising. Read more.

October 22, 2014
River trail a community effort
It’s been 11 years in the making, but the town of Peru in the North Country stuck with it and now has a great community asset And PTNY was there from the beginning helping get the project off the ground.

September 23, 2014Parking DayRead all about Parking Day in Albany and the campsite we set up in front of the Capitol.

September 5, 2014
Adirondack Rail Trail will add to tourismOp-ed in Albany Times Union cites PTNY’s report on the economic impact of the Erie Canalway Trail to support development of Adirondack Rail Trail.
Parking Day Read all about Parking Day in Albany and the campsite we set up in front of the Capitol.